Transparent nasal dilator

ABSTRACT

A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a nose from drawing in during breathing. There is a spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member extending over the bridge and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge. A pad with an adhesive surface covers the spring member and extends around the spring member so that there is a perimeter of space formed between the spring member and the pad member. The spring is inset centrally in the pad. An adhesive between the spring member and the pad wholly connects the spring member on its entire engaging surface with the pad. The dilator can be formed of transparent or clear material so as to enhance its cosmetic appearance on the nose, and there can be printing on one or more members of the dilator.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention relates to application Ser. No. 08/499,636, filed Jul. 7,1995; and Ser. No. 08/521,631, filed Aug. 31, 1995; and Ser. No.08/580,127, filed Dec. 28, 1995. The contents of these applications areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to dilators for the nose. In particular, theinvention is concerned with a dilator to urge the nasal passages of thenose open during breathing.

One known form of dilator used for this purpose is in the nature of aband for extension over the nose from one nasal passage, over the bridgeof the nose, to the other nasal passage. This pad is formed of aflexible material which has sandwiched with it a resilient springmaterial. Both the flexible material and the spring are normally planar.When the pad is placed on the nose, it sticks to the skin of the nose,and the action of the spring causes the nasal passages to be urged open.

In the Applicant's experience, the known dilator is not as effective asit could be. In particular, the nasal passages are not urged open asmuch or as little as they could usefully and safely be opened. Also, thecurrently known device consists of multiple components forming the padin a sandwich relationship with the spring. Therefore, the fabricationof such a dilator arrangement is unduly complicated.

There is a need to provide a pad system for a dilator for location overthe nose which minimizes the disadvantages of known systems.

SUMMARY

By this invention there is provided a dilator which has advantages overknown dilators.

According to the invention, there is provided a nasal dilator forpreventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing. The dilator includes an elongated resilientspring member for bridging a human nose, and there is also a flexiblepad having a surface area and peripheral edge. The pad, which is made ofa breathable material, engages the spring member, which is a polyflexmaterial, and extends around the spring member.

There is an adhesive between the spring member and the pad such that thespring member on one of its entire engaging surface wholly adheres withthe pad. A surface perimeter area of the pad is formed between the outeredge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad. Thesurface perimeter area includes an adhesive for adhering to skin of thenose.

When the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, theopposite flat surfaces of the spring member extend over the bridge ofthe nose and at least partly beyond the bridge of the nose. In thismanner, the spring extends over the nasal passages on both sides of thebridge.

In some embodiments, when in use on the nose, there are only the springmember, the adhesive pad, and the adhesive between the pad and thespring member. When in position on the nose, a flat surface of thespring member engages directly on the nose. In some other embodiments,there is also an adhesive on the surface area of the spring adjacent tothe bridge of the nose, so the spring member adheres to the nose.

In different embodiments, there are situations where at least one of,and preferably all of the components, namely pad, adhesive and springare substantially transparent or clear, a flesh-like color or shade soas to effectively blend with the skin of wearer, or translucent. Inother preferred situations the pad is effectively colored or renderedornate or patterned, at least on its surface removed from the nose.

The dilator can be at least partly formed of transparent or clearmaterial so as to enhance its cosmetic appearance on the nose.Ornamentation can be provided to one surface of the spring thereby to bevisible through a transparent pad. Alternatively or additionally, thepad can be imprinted with ornamentation.

In yet other preferred forms of the invention, the pad is substantiallytransparent, and the spring is colored or patterned on its surfaceremoved from the nose. The pattern can be a product logo. Coloring canrepresent a team color. The spring can be at least partly visiblethrough the pad.

When unattached to the nose, the spring member and pad, has a naturalposition contrary to a curvature formed by location of the spring memberover the bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages.Preferably, the natural position is with a curvature contrary to theshape of the curvature formed from one nasal passage over the bridge tothe second nasal passage. The contrary curvature acts to place anincreased amount of spring action on the dilator so that the dilationaction on the nasal passages is enhanced when in use.

In one form of the invention, the dilator is located in a package beforeusage on the nose, and the interaction of the package on the dilatordevelops the contrary curvature. In another form of the invention, thepad is stretched prior to adhering to the spring, and that stretch actsto place the contrary curvature onto the dilator.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an underview of the dilator showing adhesive on the pad and onthe spring.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the top of the dilator before beingplaced on the nose.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the dilator on the nose.

FIG. 4 is a view of multiple dilators in a package to effect thecurvature contrary to the position of the dilator on the nose.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective top view of the components making upthe dilator.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the nose showing a dilator in arelative position before usage and the nasal passages closed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the nose showing a dilator inposition on the nose and the nasal passages opened.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a construction procedure formanufacturing the dilator where a stretch is placed on the pad to effectthe contrary curvature.

FIG. 8A illustrates side views of the dilator respectively at twodifferent die positions in the construction procedure.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the dilator showing ornamentation on the pad,and wherein there is adhesive on the underside of the pad and on theunderside of the spring, the undersides being for engagement on the skinof the nose.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view from the top of the dilator before beingplaced on the nose, namely a counter-curved dilator, with anornamentation on a surface of a spring being visible through thetransparent pad.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a second form of the dilator namely aflat substantially planar dilator before being placed on the nose. Thereis ornamentation on the spring visible through a transparent pad.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective top view of the components making upthe dilator.

DESCRIPTION

A nasal dilator 10 prevents the outer wall tissue 11 of first and secondnasal passages 12 and 13, respectively, of a human nose 14 from drawingin during breathing.

SPRING

The dilator 10 includes an elongated resilient spring 15 for bridgingthe human nose 14. The spring member 15 is formed of a syntheticresinous material. The spring member 15 has an outer edge 16 andopposite flat surfaces 17 and 18. The surface 17 extends over a bridge19 of the nose 14.

The spring material 15 is formed of 0.010" clear polyester film. Anacrylic adhesive carrier 20 having a thickness of 0.0015" liner for diecutting is provided on both sides. The adhesive is indicated by numerals21 and 22.

In other situations, the film is white or colored at least on thesurface 18. The surface 18 can have a logo pattern 118 printed on theface. Alternatively, different patterns, shapes, words, and letters canbe used.

The film 15 is clear, durable, and has dimensional stability. It isresistant to mild acids, alkalis, and salt. Further, the film 15 isfungus, water and corrosion-resistant.

PAD

The dilator 10 includes a flexible adhesive pad 23 having a surface area24 and peripheral edge 25. The pad 23 engages the spring member 15 andextending around the spring member 15.

The pad material 23 is preferably 9906T, 3M Elastic Nonwoven Tape from3M Company, 3M Center, St. Paul, Minn. The product is a tan elasticpolyurethane tape coated on one side with an acrylate adhesive 26. Thetape is supplied on a paper liner 152 with the liner on the inside ofthe roll.

In other situations, the pad material is substantially transparent,clear or colored, for instance, to conform to a flesh color or tone.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the pad 23 is transparent and the spring iscolored, patterned or imprinted with a logo or the like, thisimprintation is visible through the transparent pad 23. Thus, when wornon the nose 14, there is the appearance of a colored device, in part inwhole, or of different combinations of pad and spring. The spring canthus be used as carrier of a message and not only for its resilientcharacteristics.

There is an arrangement shown in FIG. 10B which uses a dilator in a flatstate before use on the nose. Also the pad 23 is tone or colored andimprinted 218 with a logo.

The backing of the tape is nonwoven of tan-colored polyurethane fibers.The adhesive is a hypoallergenic, pressure-sensitive acrylate. The lineris a silicone-coated kraft paper.

SPRING AND PAD

The spring member 15 occupies about 25% to about 50% of the surface area24 of the pad 23. The spring member 5 is centrally located in thesurface area 24 of the pad 23.

The peripheral edge 25 of the pad 23 defines a narrow width 26 and abroad width 27. The narrow width 26 is substantially for location overthe bridge 19 of the nose 14. The broad width 27 is substantially forlocation centrally over the nasal passages 12 and 13 of the nose 14.

The spring member 15 defines a width 28. The width 28 of the springmember 15 being about one-half to three-quarters of the width of narrowwidth 26 of the pad 23. The pad 23 is an elongated element with roundedends 29.

The spring member 15 defines a length 31 and the pad 23 defines a length32. The spring member 15 is centrally located along the length 32 of thepad 23. The length 31 of the spring member 15 is between about one-halfto three-quarters of the length 32 of the pad 23.

The spring member 15 and the pad 23, respectively, include ends 33 and34. The ends 33 of the spring member 15 are located inwardly from theends 34 of the pad member 23.

ADHESIVE & LINER

The adhesive 26 is located between the spring member 15 and the backingof the pad 23 such that the entire engaging surface 18 of the springmember 15 wholly adheres with the pad 23.

In the embodiments using a transparent or clear pad 23, it is desirableto have the adhesive 26 substantially clear in color. This isparticularly the case where there is an imprintation 118 on the springsurface 18.

A surface perimeter area 30 of the pad 23 is formed between the outeredge 16 of the spring member 15 and the peripheral edge 25 of the pad23. The surface perimeter area 30 includes the adhesive 26 for adheringto skin of the nose 14.

The surface area 17 of the spring 15 includes an adhesive carrier 20 foradhering to the skin of the nose 14.

The adhesive system is preferably No. 1509, Double Coated Medical Tapeon Liner from 3M Company, 3M Center, St. Paul, Minn. This product is adouble-coated transparent polyethylene film, coated on both sides with ahypoallergenic, pressure-sensitive, acrylate adhesive, supplied on apaper liner. The double coated tape is wound with the liner on theoutside of the roll.

The carrier is transparent 3 mil polyethylene film; the adhesive ishypoallergenic, pressure-sensitive acrylate; and the liner is bleachedKraft-Glassine paper, silicone coated on both sides.

USING THE DILATOR

When the spring member 15 is located over the bridge 19 of the nose 14,the opposite flat surfaces 17 and 18 of the spring member 15 extend overthe bridge 19 of the nose 14 and at least partly beyond the bridge 19 onboth sides of the bridge 19.

In use on the nose 14, there are only the spring member 15, and theadhesive pad 23. There is the adhesive 26 between the pad 23 and thespring member 15, and selectively, in one form of the invention there isalso the adhesive carrier 20 on the surface 17 of the spring member 15.

When the pad member 23 is located on the nose 14 of a wearer, the ends33 of the spring 15 are urged outwardly as indicated by arrows 35 toseparate from the skin covering the nasal passages 11 of the wearer. Thepad 23 is lifted in part from the nasal passages 12 and in the vicinityof the ends 33 of the spring member 15. When in position on the nose 14,a flat surface 17 of the spring member 15 engages directly on the nose14 through an adhesive 22.

Also as shown in FIGS. 11 and 7, there is a force 135 which is appliedto the skin of the nose 14 from positions along a line 136 where the padadheres to the nasal skin. This line 136 is slightly removed from theperimeter of the spring 15, and the force 135 is directed at differentangles from the nose. The pulling force 135 is spread broadly around thenasal skin and increases the overall opening force on the nasal passages12 and 13.

DILATOR PRIOR TO USAGE

When unattached to the nose 14, the spring member 15 and pad 23 have anatural position contrary to a curvature formed by location of thespring member 15 over the bridge 19 of the nose 14 and adjacent to thenasal passages 12 and 13. The resilient spring member 15 and pad 23preferably have a position with a curvature 36 contrary to the shape ofthe curvature 37 formed from one nasal passage 12 over the bridge 19 tothe second nasal passage 13. The contrary curvature 36 acts to place anincreased amount of spring action on the dilator 10 so that the dilationaction on the nasal passages 12 and 13 is enhanced when in use. Theincreased spring action is caused by the counter stress put into thespring member 15 prior to usage by the position of contrary curvature.

The dilator 10 is located in a package 38 before usage on the nose. Theinteraction of the walls 141 and 40 of the package 38 on the dilator 10develops the contrary curvature 36. The shape of the package 38 is suchthat there is an effective curvature created by the surfaces 144engaging the dilators 10 when packed. This curvature is a countercurvature 36 relative to the curvature 37 when in use. The wall 141 isloaded by spring 142 to ensure the counter curvature.

Alternatively or additionally, the pad 23 is stretched prior to adheringto the spring 15. The stretch 39 acts to place the contrary curvature 36onto the dilator 10 as explained in relation to FIG. 8. As the padmaterial 23 returns to its unstretched mode after the die-cut 46 itcauses the spring 15 which adhered to the pad to be pulled into thecounter curvature position 36.

MANUFACTURING THE DILATOR

The method of manufacturing for the dilator 10 requires the resilientspring member 15 to be die cut and located as an island within thesurface area 30 of the pad 23.

The various materials: spring 15, pad 23, and adhesive 20, are provided,respectively, on rolls 41, 42 and 43 of material.

The resilient spring 15 is formed of a ribbon material 44 which is diecut at 45 from ribbon material 44.

The pad 23 is die cut at 46 from a second ribbon 47 of material. Therelease liner 152 removed from the pad 23 is removed as a ribbon to thewaste liner roll 53.

The ribbon of resilient material 44 and pad material 47 are adhesivelyjoined together in a webbing operation. The adhesive material 43 in theform of a ribbon 48 is fed into a position at die 45 on one side of theribbon material 44 so as to place an adhesive on the ribbon material 44for the spring. The adhesive system 20 is cut at die 45 to conform withthe spring 15.

Adhesive 26 on the one side of the pad ribbon material 47 sticks thespring ribbon material 44 to the pad ribbon material 47 at the die 46.

Non-adhering materials, 49, and 51 removed from the respective die cuts45 and 46 are removed as ribbons of waste material. The material 49 isthe unused ribbon material 44, namely the unused resilient material, andunused adhesive 48 which is die-cut 45. The material 51 is the spring15, the pad 23, and the adhesive 20 which is die-cut 46. FIG. 8Aillustrates the sandwiched components of the dilator at the diepositions 45 and 46 respectively.

A liner 52 is also provided to cover the adhesive 26 of the pad 23 notcovered by the spring 15. The liner is the leftover after the die-cut 45of the resilient adhesive combination. When in use, the liner 52 isremoved to expose the adhesive surface 26 and spring 15. The liner 52 isformed as the paper backing for the two sided adhesive 21 and 22 oncarrier 20. The liner 52 is formed as the base of the roll of material43 for the adhesive ribbon 48.

In some cases, the adhesive ribbon material 48 affixed to the springribbon material 44 may be avoided. There may be only the adhesive padmaterial 47 and the spring ribbon material 44 and a liner provided by adifferent ribbon material from roll 43. Thus only a paper type liner maybe provided from roll 43. In such a situation there is no two sidedcoated tape.

Multiple dilators 10 are formed in a nested series in the manufacturingprocess through dies 45 and 46. They are then cut and separated at die54 prior to packaging.

GENERAL

Many other forms of the invention exist, each differing from others inmatters of detail only.

In some cases, the dilator prior to use is planar.

For instance, in some uses of the dilator on the nose, there are may beelements in addition to the basic spring member, the adhesive pad, andthe adhesive between the spring and the nose skin. Also, there aresituations where the adhesive on the spring for engaging the nose isunnecessary.

In other situations the position of curvature is one which means the padis non-planar. Thus there could be situations where the curvature isgenerally along the shape of the nose, but not conforming to the nose.These situations could be, for instance, where a lesser degree oftension is needed to be placed on the nasal passages.

In one aspect of the nasal dilator 10, all the components located on thenose 14 are substantially transparent or clear. Thus, the spring 15 istransparent as are the adhesive carrier 20 and adhesive layers 21 and22. So too is the pad 23 and adhesive 26 transparent. Thus, when thedilator 10 is located on the nose, it substantially blends with the nosecolor and/or is substantially invisible. As such, the dilator 10 is acosmetic improvement over prior dilators.

In other situations, the pad may be partly transparent, or translucent,so that the spring can be seen through the pad. In yet other situations,the pad and/or spring can be made of different target colors to providecolorful combinations of pad and spring.

In FIG. 9 the pad is ornamented with the word "PROMO." The pad isselectively not transparent, and the spring can not be seen when worn.

In FIG. 10A the pad is transparent and the spring can be seen. The onesurface of the spring is ornamented with the word "PROMO" which can beseen through the transparent pad. There is a similar arrangement shownin FIGS. 10B, 3, and 11.

The dilator can be printed and/or tinted by any known process. This canbe, for instance, silk screening, flexography, or gravure.

Although the invention in its mode with at least partly transparentcomponents has been described with reference to two components, a padand a spring with adhesive as required, there could be situations wherethere are multiple springs and/or pads. In some case, the springs may belocated on the pad on the side removed from the nose. A further coveringelement may cover the spring.

The resilient member and other components of the dilator can be packagedin a bent, curved or straight condition, and can be in that staticcondition before dilator application to the nose.

In some other situations, instead of applying the adhesives on a 3 inchfilm, it can be coated onto the pad.

The invention is to be determined solely in terms of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissueof nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing,comprising:an elongated substantially transparent spring member forbridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge andopposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the noseand being for engaging the user's nose; a single substantiallytransparent flexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, thepad being for engaging the spring member and extending around the springmember so that there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formedbetween the outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge ofthe pad, the spring being inset from the peripheral edge of the padsubstantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter areaincludes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin ofthe nose; and a substantially transparent adhesive means between thespring member and the pad such that the spring member on one of its flatsurfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when thespring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flatsurface of the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and atleast partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and thesurface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, thearrangement being such that, in use, there is only the spring member,the single pad and the adhesive.
 2. A dilator as claimed in claim 1,wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhere to the skinof the nose is effected by having the spring member occupy between about25% to about 50% of the surface area of the pad.
 3. A dilator as claimedin claim 1 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad to adhereto the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring member becentrally located in the surface area of the pad, and the surface of thespring member be between about one-quarter to about half of the surfacearea of the pad.
 4. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesivemeans for permitting the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose iseffected by having the spring member define a length and the pad definea length, the spring member being centrally located along the length ofthe pad, and the length of the spring member being between aboutone-half to about three-quarters of the length of the pad.
 5. A dilatoras claimed in claim 1 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the padto adhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the pad define anarrow width and a broad width, the narrow width being substantially forlocation over the bridge of a nose, and the broad width beingsubstantially for location centrally over a nostril portion of the nose,the spring member defining a width, and the width of the spring memberbeing about one-half to about three-quarters of the width of narrowwidth of the pad.
 6. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the springmember is formed of a resilient, synthetic resinous material, and thespring member and pad, when unattached to the nose, has a naturalposition contrary to a curvature formed by location of the spring memberover the bridge of the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, thecontrary curvature being non-planar.
 7. A dilator as claimed in claim 1wherein the spring member is a resilient member, the spring memberhaving being die cut and located as an island within the surface area ofthe pad.
 8. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pad is anelongated element with rounded ends, such ends being substantiallycone-shaped.
 9. A dilator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring isformed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the pad is die cutfrom a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joined together ina webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materials removed from thedie cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material.
 10. A nasal dilatorfor preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing, comprising:a substantially transparentelongated spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring memberhaving an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extendingover a bridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose; asubstantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area andperipheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member andextending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeterarea of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member andthe peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from theperipheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein thesurface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive foradhering to skin of the nose; a substantially transparent adhesive meansbetween the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on oneof its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being suchthat when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, theopposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge ofthe nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of thebridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin ofthe nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only thespring member, the pad and the adhesive; and wherein, in use on thenose, there are the spring member, the adhesive pad, the adhesivebetween the pad and the spring member, and means for adhering suchspring member directly to the user's nose including an adhesive on thespring member.
 11. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue ofnasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing,comprising:an elongated substantially transparent spring member forbridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge andopposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of the noseand being for engaging the user's nose; a substantially transparentflexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad beingfor engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member sothat there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between theouter edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, thespring being inset from the peripheral edge of the pad substantiallyaround the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; asubstantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member andthe pad such that the spring member on one of its flat surfaces adhereswith the pad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member islocated over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surface of thespring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partlybeyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface perimeterarea of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, the arrangement beingsuch that, in use, there is only the spring member, the pad and theadhesive; and wherein, when in position on the nose, a flat surface ofthe spring member engages directly on the nose.
 12. A dilator as claimedin claim 11 wherein the spring member and pad have a position, whennon-adhering to the nose, with a curvature contrary to the shape of thecurvature formed from one nasal passage over the bridge to the secondnasal passage, such contrary curvature being non-planar.
 13. A dilatoras claimed in claim 12 wherein the spring member is formed of aresilient, synthetic resinous material, and the spring member and pad,when unattached to the nose, has a natural position contrary to acurvature formed by location of the spring member over the bridge of thenose and adjacent to the nasal passages, and wherein the position ofcontrary curvature is obtained by relatively stretching the padlongitudinally prior to affixation with the spring member.
 14. A dilatoras claimed in claim 12 including locating the dilator in a package fordeveloping the contrary curvature.
 15. A nasal dilator for preventingouter wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing induring breathing, comprising:an elongated substantially transparentspring member for bridging a human nose, the spring member having anouter edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over abridge of the nose and being for engaging the user's nose; asubstantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area andperipheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member andextending around the spring member so that there is a surface perimeterarea of the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member andthe peripheral edge of the pad, the spring being inset from theperipheral edge of the pad substantially around the pad, and wherein thesurface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive foradhering to skin of the nose; a substantially transparent adhesive meansbetween the spring member and the pad such that the spring member on oneof its flat surfaces adheres with the pad, the arrangement being suchthat when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, theopposite flat surface of the spring member extends over the bridge ofthe nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of thebridge, and the surface perimeter area of the pad adheres to the skin ofthe nose, the arrangement being such that, in use, there is only thespring member, the pad and the adhesive; and wherein the spring memberand the pad respectively include ends, the ends of the spring memberbeing located inwardly from the ends of the pad member such that whenthe pad member is located on the nose of a wearer, the ends of thespring are urged outwardly and separate from skin covering the nasalpassages of the wearer, such that the pad is lifted in part from thenasal passages in the vicinity of the ends of the spring member.
 16. Anasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of ahuman nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, thespring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and beingfor extending over a bridge of the nose; a substantially transparentflexible pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad beingfor engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member sothat there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between theouter edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the padwhereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the padsubstantially around the pad, and wherein the surface perimeter areaincludes a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin ofthe nose and for adhering the spring member to the pad; and whereinthere is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive.
 17. A systemfor preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing comprising:a nasal dilator acting inoperative position to adopt a curvature formed by location over a bridgeof the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, and the dilatorincluding an elongated substantially transparent spring member bridginga human nose, and a substantially transparent flexible pad being forengaging the spring member, the pad including a substantiallytransparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose and for adheringthe spring member to the pad; and the spring being for engaging the skinof the nose, the arrangement being such that there is only the spring,the pad and the adhesive.
 18. A nasal dilator comprising:an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose andfor engaging a user's nose; a flexible substantially transparent padhaving a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member andextending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area ofthe pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and theperipheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; anda substantially transparent adhesive means between the spring member andthe pad such that the spring member adheres with the pad, thearrangement being such that when the spring member is located over thebridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridge of thenose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge,and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, thearrangement being such that there is only the spring, the pad and theadhesive.
 19. A nasal dilator comprising:an elongated substantiallytransparent spring member for bridging a human nose; a single flexiblesubstantially transparent pad having a surface area, the pad being forengaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member sothat them is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge ofthe spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad, and wherein thesurface area includes a substantially transparent adhesive for adheringto skin of the nose; a substantially transparent adhesive between thespring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with thepad, the arrangement being such that when the spring member is locatedover the bridge of the nose, the spring member extends over the bridgeof the nose and at least partly beyond the bridge on both sides of thebridge, and the surface area of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose;and wherein, when in position on the nose, there is only the springmember, the single pad and the adhesive.
 20. A nasal dilatorcomprising:only a single elongated spring member for bridging a humannose, the spring member being substantially transparent; a substantiallytransparent flexible pad having a surface area, the pad being forengaging the spring member and extending beyond the spring member sothat there is a surface area of the pad formed between the outer edge ofthe spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad; substantiallytransparent adhesive means between the spring member and the pad suchthat the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement being suchthat when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose, thespring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at least partlybeyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge; and wherein the adhesivemeans permits the pad to adhere to the skin of the nose, and is effectedby having the spring member define a length and the pad define a length,and wherein the spring member is centrally located along the length ofthe pad, and the length of the spring member is between about one-halfto about three-quarters of the length of the pad.
 21. A nasal dilatorcomprising:an elongated substantially transparent spring member forbridging a human nose; a single substantially transparent flexible padhaving a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring member andextending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface area ofthe pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and theperipheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; asubstantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the padsuch that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement beingsuch that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose,the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at leastpartly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surfacearea of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and wherein in use onthe nose there are only the spring member, the single pad, the adhesivebetween the pad and the spring member.
 22. A nasal dilator comprising:asubstantially transparent elongated spring member for bridging a humannose; a substantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area,the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending beyond thespring member so that there is a surface area of the pad formed betweenthe outer edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the pad,and wherein the surface area includes a substantially transparentadhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; a substantially transparentadhesive between the spring member and the pad such that the springmember adheres with the pad, the arrangement being such that when thespring member is located over the bridge of the nose, the spring memberextends over the bridge of the nose and at least partly beyond thebridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surface area of the padadheres to the skin of the nose; and wherein, when in position on thenose, there is only the spring member, the pad and the adhesive.
 23. Anasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of ahuman nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:a substantiallytransparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring memberhaving an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extendingover a bridge of the nose; a substantially transparent flexible padhaving a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad being for engagingthe spring member and wherein the surface perimeter area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; asubstantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and thepad, the spring member adhering to the pad and the surface of the springbeing visible through the pad, such that when the spring member islocated over the bridge of the nose, the opposite flat surfaces of thespring member extend over the bridge of the nose and at least partlybeyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, the surface perimeterarea of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and there being onlythe spring, the pad and adhesive.
 24. A dilator as claimed in claim 23wherein the spring member occupies between about 25% to about 50% of thesurface area of the pad.
 25. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 whereinthe spring member is centrally located in the surface area of the pad,and the surface of the spring member is between about one-quarter tohalf of the surface area of the pad.
 26. A dilator as claimed in claim23 wherein the spring member defines a length and the pad defines alength, and wherein the spring member is centrally located along thelength of the pad, and the length of the spring member is between aboutone-half to three-quarters of the length of the pad.
 27. A dilator asclaimed in claim 23 wherein the pad defines a narrow width and a broadwidth, the narrow width being substantially for location over the bridgeof a nose, and the broad width being substantially for locationcentrally over a nostril portion of the nose, and wherein the springmember defines a width, the width of the spring member being aboutone-half to three-quarters of the width of narrow width of the pad. 28.A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein, when in position on the nose,a flat surface of the spring member engages directly on the nose, and anopposite surface is visible through the pad, the opposite surface havingan ornamentation visible through the pad.
 29. A dilator as claimed inclaim 23 wherein the spring member is a resilient member, the springmember having being die cut and located as an island within the surfacearea of the pad.
 30. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the pad isan elongated element and is ornamented.
 31. A dilator as claimed inclaim 23 wherein the ornamentation on the surface of the pad is effectedby imprintation.
 32. A dilator as claimed in claim 23 wherein the springis formed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the pad is diecut from a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joined togetherin a webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materials removed fromthe die cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material.
 33. A nasaldilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a humannose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:a substantiallyelongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a humannose, the spring member being for extending over a bridge of the noseand wherein the spring member is a resilient member; a substantiallytransparent pad having a surface area and peripheral edge, the pad beingfor engaging the spring member and extending with spring member; asubstantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the padsuch that the spring member adheres with the pad and extends over andbeyond the bridge of the nose on both sides of the bridge, and thesurface area of the pad on one surface adhering to the skin of the nose,and on the opposite surface being ornamented; there being only thespring, the pad and the adhesive, and wherein, when in position on thenose, a flat surface of the spring member with adhesive engages directlyon the nose.
 34. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue ofnasal passages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing,comprising:a substantially transparent elongated spring member of afirst resilience for bridging a human nose, the spring member having anouter edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extending over abridge of the nose and being for engaging the nose; and a substantiallytransparent flexible section of a relatively lesser resilience having asurface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging thespring member and extending from the spring member so that there is asurface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge ofthe spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby thespring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, and wherein thesurface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive foradhering directly to skin of the nose.
 35. A system for preventing outerwall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose from drawing in duringbreathing comprising:a nasal dilator acting in operative position toadopt a curvature formed by location over a bridge of the nose andadjacent to the nasal passages, and the dilator including an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose, and aflexible flat substantially transparent section engaging the springmember, the section including a substantially transparent adhesive foradhering to skin of the nose; the arrangement being such that, in use,the spring is located directly on the nose, and the flexible adhesivesection is adhesively located directly on the skin of the nose.
 36. Anasal dilator comprising:an elongated substantially transparent springmember for bridging a human nose; a flexible substantially transparentpad having a surface area, the pad being for engaging the spring memberand extending beyond the spring member so that there is a surface areaof the pad formed between the outer edge of the spring member and theperipheral edge of the pad, and wherein the surface area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; asubstantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the padsuch that the spring member adheres with the pad, the arrangement beingsuch that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose,the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at leastpartly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surfacearea of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose; and wherein, in use onthe nose, there are only the spring member, the pad, the adhesive on thepad.
 37. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasalpassages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:asubstantially elongated substantially transparent spring member forbridging a human nose, the spring member being for extending over abridge of the nose and wherein the spring member is a resilient member;a substantially transparent pad having a surface area and peripheraledge, the pad being for engaging the spring member and extending withspring member; and a substantially transparent adhesive between thespring member and the pad such that the spring member adheres with thepad and extends over and beyond the bridge of the nose on both sides ofthe bridge, and the surface area of the pad on one surface adhering tothe skin of the nose, and on the opposite surface being ornamented, thespring member being between the nose and the pad.
 38. A nasal dilatorfor preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing, comprising:an elongated substantiallytransparent spring member for bridging a human nose, the spring memberhaving an outer edge and opposite flat surfaces and being for extendingover a bridge of the nose; and a flexible section being substantiallytransparent having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section beingfor engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member sothat there is a surface perimeter area of the pad formed between theouter edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the sectionwhereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section,wherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparentadhesive for adhering to skin of the nose, and wherein the surfaceperimeter area directly adheres to the skin of the nose.
 39. A nasaldilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a humannose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member of a first resilience forbridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge andopposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of thenose; and a flexible substantially transparent section of a lesserresilience having a surface area and peripheral edge, the section beingfor engaging the spring member and extending around the spring member sothat there is a surface perimeter area of the section formed between theouter edge of the spring member and the peripheral edge of the sectionwhereby the spring is inset from the peripheral edge of the sectionwherein the surface perimeter area includes a substantially transparentadhesive for adhering to skin of the nose and wherein the surfaceperimeter area directly adheres to the nose through the adhesive.
 40. Anasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of ahuman nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member of a first resilience forbridging a human nose, the spring member having an outer edge andopposite flat surfaces and being for extending over a bridge of thenose; a single substantially transparent flexible section of arelatively lesser resilience having a surface area and peripheral edge,the section being for adhesively engaging the spring member andextending from the spring member so that there is a surface perimeterarea of the section formed between the outer edge of the spring memberand the peripheral edge of the section whereby the spring is inset fromthe peripheral edge of the section, and wherein the section includes asubstantially transparent adhesive for adhering directly to skin of thenose, and wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member,the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
 41. A system forpreventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing comprising:a nasal dilator acting inoperative position to adopt a curvature formed by location over a bridgeof the nose and adjacent to the nasal passages, the dilator including anelongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a humannose, and a single substantially transparent flexible flat sectionengaging the spring member, the section including a substantiallytransparent adhesive for adhering to skin of the nose; the arrangementbeing such that, in use, the flexible section is adhesively locateddirectly on the skin of the nose, and wherein, in use on the nose, thereare only the spring member, the single flexible section, and theadhesive.
 42. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasalpassages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:asubstantially elongated substantially transparent spring member forbridging a human nose, the spring member being for extending over abridge of the nose and wherein the spring member is a resilient member;a single substantially transparent pad having a surface area andperipheral edge, the pad being for engaging the spring member andextending with spring member over the bridge of the nose; asubstantially transparent adhesive between the spring member and the padsuch that the spring member adheres with the pad and extends over andbeyond the bridge of the nose on both sides of the bridge, and thesurface area of the pad on one surface adhering to the skin of the nose,and on the opposite surface being ornamented, and wherein, in use on thenose, there are only the spring member, the single pad, and theadhesive.
 43. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasalpassages of a human nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:anelongated substantially transparent spring member for bridging a humannose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfacesand being for extending over a bridge of the nose; a single flexiblesection being substantially transparent having a surface area andperipheral edge, the section being for adhesively engaging the springmember and extending with the spring member over the bridge of the nose,and a substantially transparent adhesive for adhering to skin of thenose, and wherein the flexible section adheres to the skin of the nose;and wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the spring member, thesingle flexible section, and the adhesive.
 44. A nasal dilator forpreventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a human nose fromdrawing in during breathing, comprising:an elongated substantiallytransparent spring member of a first resilience for bridging a humannose, the spring member having an outer edge and opposite flat surfacesand being for extending over a bridge of the nose; a singlesubstantially transparent flexible section of a lesser resilience havinga surface area and peripheral edge, the section being for engaging thespring member and extending around the spring member so that there is asurface perimeter area of the section formed between the outer edge ofthe spring member and the peripheral edge of the section whereby thespring is inset from the peripheral edge of the section, wherein thesurface perimeter area includes a substantially transparent adhesive foradhering to skin of the nose, the flexible section being selectively atleast one of ornate or colored on a surface area, and wherein thesurface perimeter area directly adheres to the nose through theadhesive; and wherein, in use on the nose, there are only the springmember, the single flexible section, and the adhesive.
 45. A nasaldilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasal passages of a humannose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:at least asubstantially transparent flexible pad, a substantially transparentresilient member for bridging a human nose, and a substantiallytransparent adhesive, the arrangement being such that the pad adhesivelyengages skin of the nose and is entirely on the outside of the nosethereby effecting dilation of the nasal passages.
 46. A dilator asclaimed in claim 45 wherein the adhesive means for permitting the pad toadhere to the skin of the nose is effected by having the spring memberdefine a length and the pad define a length, the spring member beingcentrally located along the length of the pad, and the length of thespring member between about one-half to about three-quarters of thelength of the pad.
 47. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein thespring member is a resilient member, the spring member having being diecut and located as an island within a surface area of the pad.
 48. Adilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the pad is an elongated elementwith rounded ends.
 49. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein thespring is formed of a material die cut from a first ribbon, and the padis die cut from a second ribbon, and the ribbons are adhesively joinedtogether in a webbing operation, and wherein non-adhering materialsremoved from the die cuts are removed as ribbons of waste material. 50.A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring member occupiesbetween about 25% to about 50% of a surface area of the pad.
 51. Adilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the spring member is centrallylocated in a surface area of a pad, and a surface of the spring memberis between about one-quarter to half of the surface area of the pad. 52.A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein the pad defines a narrow widthand a broad width, the narrow width being substantially for locationover the bridge of a nose, and the broad width being substantially forlocation centrally over a nostril portion of the nose, and wherein thespring member defines a width, the width of the spring member beingabout one-half to three-quarters of the width of narrow width of thepad.
 53. A dilator as claimed in claim 45 wherein there is a single pad,the resilient member and the adhesive.
 54. A dilator as claimed in claim45 wherein the pad defines a narrow first portion, and two portions ofbroader width, the narrow width being substantially intermediate thebroader width portions.
 55. A nasal dilator comprising:an elongatedsubstantially transparent spring member for bridging a human nose; asubstantially transparent flexible pad having a surface area, the padengaging the spring member, and wherein the surface area includes asubstantially transparent adhesive means for adhering to skin of thenose; and a substantially transparent adhesive between the spring memberand the pad, the spring member adhered to the pad, the arrangement beingsuch that when the spring member is located over the bridge of the nose,the spring member extends over the bridge of the nose and at leastpartly beyond the bridge on both sides of the bridge, and the surfacearea of the pad adheres to the skin of the nose, and wherein the springmember and the pad, in use, substantially conform to the skin of thenose.
 56. A nasal dilator for preventing outer wall tissue of nasalpassages of a nose from drawing in during breathing, comprising:asubstantially transparent member defining a first end region and asecond end region, each adapted to be releasably secured to the outerwall tissue of first and second nasal passages respectively and anintermediate segment coupling the first end region to the second regionand configured to transverse a portion of a nose located between thefirst and second nasal passages, a resilient substantially transparentmeans adapted to bias the first and second end regions apart at least,when secured to first and second nasal passages, the first and secondend regions including a layer of a substantially transparent adhesivesubstance thereby to enable said regions to engage the respective outerwall tissues, and the intermediate segment being of narrower width thanthe first and second end regions.
 57. The nasal dilator of claim 56wherein the resilient means is formed of plastic.
 58. The nasal dilatorof claim 56 wherein the member is formed of an interwoven piece offabric.